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Meson Sabika

4 star rating
based on 29 reviews

Categories: Spanish/Basque, Tapas Bars  [Edit]

1025 Aurora Ave
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 983-3000
  • Price Range: $$$
  • Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
  • Parking: Private Lot
  • Attire: Casual
  • Good for Groups: Yes
  • Good for Kids: No
  • Takes Reservations: Yes
  • Delivers: No
  • Take-out: Yes
  • Waiter Service: Yes
  • Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
  • Outdoor Seating: Yes
  • Alcohol: Full Bar

29 Reviews for Meson Sabika

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Photo of Ellen M.

Elite '08

266

1073

Ellen M.

Oak Park, IL

3 star rating
Updated - 07/12/2008

Met Kasey G. and fam here a couple weeks ago.  We enjoyed the patio, which is expansive and relaxing.  The tapas are pretty good...can't say much more than that, because there's nothing exceptional about it.  But the environs will bring us back.

They added a building since I was last there, apparently for special events - it looked like a beautiful space to hold an occasion.  There was a nice wedding ceremony going on nearby while we dined (lesbian wedding in Naperville - woo!) that was very touching.

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 3 star rating 08/22/2005 First to Review

    There are so many must-tries on this Tapas menu that you simply must go and try it once.  The garlic… Read more »

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Photo of Andrea R.

Elite '08

1805

1104

Andrea R.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
07/21/2008

I'm not such a fan of bridal showers, but if all the showers I attended took place at a gorgeous restaurant like Meson Sabika I'd be happy to go to one every weekend. Oh wait, I pretty much do go to one every weekend...but this was a good one!

The mansion this restaurant is located within is absolutely gorgeous! We were in one of the private rooms, which was the perfect size for the 20 or so people I was lunching with.  It was a little cramped while we mingled and sipped some very tasty sangria, but as soon as we sat down it really was the perfect size.

There was a set menu: salad, choice of salmon or filet, and some sort of banana dessert. The salad wasn't anything special, but the rest of the meal was delicious! The salmon had a huge chunk of goat cheese on top of it, which makes any dish tasty! And as for dessert they topped a banana with lots of caramel sauce and ice cream...making this healthy fruit oh so fattening and delicious!

I'll admit I don't make it out to the burbs too often, but knowing there are places like Meson Sabika out there almost makes me want to broaden my horizons.

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Photo of Crystal L.

Elite '08

17

75

Crystal L.

Chicago, IL

3 star rating
06/23/2008

Before diving into my food critique, I want to mention that the mansion and grounds are quite beautiful.  It's perfect for weddings and receptions.  In fact during our visit there was a reception being held in the pavilion.

I had heard good things the sangrias here.  I ordered the red and my friend ordered the white and both were pretty strong.  I think sangria at Olive garden is better.  

For the tapas the three of us shared the following:

Crepe Rellena - I'd give it 3 stars
Pipirrana De Buey (strips of skirt steak) - 3 star
Pasta Con Hortalizas - 4 star
Buuelos De Cangrejo (crabmeat fritters) - 3 star
Berenjena con Queso (eggplant topped with goat cheese) - 2 star

For dessert:

Platano Con Helado (banana with pistachios & ice cream)  - 3 star
Crema De Chocolate (creme brulee with chocolate) - 4 star
Pera De La Abuela (poached pear with cinnamon) - 2 star

Overall, I just didn't think the food was particular tasty.  The tapas portions were very small too.  I've been to other tapas places that served more.

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84

Susi D.

Bolingbrook, IL

3 star rating
07/18/2008

you know, everyone i know says this place rocks. it is very beautiful, i will say. the grounds are lovely, the mansion is gorgeous. i think i just wasn't in the mood for tapas when i went though, because i just felt like meson sabika was going to change my life and it didn't. the food was perfectly fine, the wine was good, the service was nice. maybe i was just crabby? anyway i plan to go again because i left there feeling i should tell Meson Sabika "It's not you...its me........"

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31

Raphael D.

Chicago, IL

5 star rating
06/03/2008

This place kicks ass and if you ever have to trek out to the Naperville area to meet people for dinner or drinks you should definitely make a reservation here. I'm a city guy but I made several trips there and had my 21st birthday dinner in a private room with 12 people and the service and food were delicious. Their sangria is a great balance and doesn't taste too sweet or sappy. Most people find morcilla (blood sausage) pretty gross but if you've ever wanted to try it their version is delicious and not too greasy. I always get the salmon on toasts points too.

I recommend you stick to tapas on your first visit. The paella is good but pretty loaded.

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9

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Brett C.

Chicago, IL

5 star rating
06/03/2008

My wife and I were just married here! We got married in the rose garden in front of the mansion, which is beautifully landscaped with eye-popping greenery, elegant fountains and nice little coy pond that we took pictures by. We were going to head to downtown Naperville for pictures, but we couldn't bear to leave this abundance of beauty. There couldn't have been a better place to capture our wedding day.

The newly constructed pavilion, where are reception was couldn't have turned out any better. The window covered perimeter made our reception feel open, and allowed the art of the outside landscape to seep in.

We had a vegetarian/Vegan wedding, and the staff was more than happy to accommodate both. I've never heard people rave about food at a wedding, but we received so many compliments about the paella, stuffed mushrooms, epanads, ok really everything. The staff even went out of their way at the reception to make something custom for me to eat, which I didn't ask them to do. I had a delectable marinated portobello mushroom dish with an almond sauce with roasted peppers and water chestnuts. Totally unexpected, much appreciated.

I expect nothing less of the restaurant itself. The staff and food are worth making the trip out to no matter where in the Chicago area you are from. Highly recommended!

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8

K T.

Naperville, IL

5 star rating
05/26/2008

Definitely one of my favorite (if not overall) restaurants not only in Naperville but in the entire Chicago area.  I developed a love of tapas while studying abroad in Spain in college and can definitely recommend Meson Sabika as having pretty authentic tapas fare.  

The red sangria is great (not overly sweet, which is a fault I usually find elsewhere), and I've yet to try anything that I didn't think was at least great.  My favorite dishes are always well prepared, and the tortilla and patatas alioli taste just as they did in Spain!  I also love the queso de cabra.

Meson being my favorite place, I've been there numerous times with various people and have yet to hear anything negative from anyone in my group about the food.  Another great thing I love about Meson is that in keeping with Spanish tradition, I've never felt rushed - we've stayed there many times for much longer than we would have felt comfortable in a more typical restaurant, leisurely ordering tapa after tapa as we felt like trying something else.

It is a rather elegant atmosphere (with prices to match), but I ranked its attire as "casual" only because I typically go after work or even in jeans and have never felt out of place.  When the weather's warm, I recommend eating out on the patio for an even more enjoyable experience.  And if I remember correctly, on Friday (and Saturday?) evenings, they have a flamenco guitarrist and dancer.

After talking so much about Meson, now I want to go!

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melissa h.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
05/09/2008

One of the best Paella I have had. This place is so good and its pretty inexpensive for its atmosphere. The mansion is really pretty but can be somewhat cramped, depending on the room you are in.

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Elite '08

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iddells E.

Chicago, IL

5 star rating
04/07/2008

Such a beautiful, elegant mansion-turned-restaurant.  I went here with the family and boyfriend yesterday for Sunday brunch.  It was a buffet brunch serving hot and cold tapas....there was also a cute little table, about 2 feet high, with more kid-friendly options.  The tapas selection is quite extensive and is a great way to sample the many different kinds of tapas for only $26.95 a person!!  Also included in the buffet is your choice of omelette and dessert, both of which you order.  The food was delicious.  The hot tapas follow the cold tapas, so be careful not to get that much food in the beginning, otherwise, you'd be stuffed and realize that you've only tried half of the tapas...like me!

The service was great.  The servers are friendly and attentive....never was there a moment when my glass of water was half full.

Definitely make reservations!!  I think they have a mother's day special coming up.  If you want to spoil and amaze your mother, this place would definitely be it!!

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Photo of Jenny M.

Elite '08

12

155

Jenny M.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
04/29/2008

4.5 stars overall (5 stars for the tapas & service; 2 stars for the paella)

Meson Sabika was the first place the hubby & I managed to go to alone since our daughter was born (thanks mom & dad for babysitting!)  We love tapas, so we're excited that Naperville has such a fabulous option.

We've spent the last year living in SF & downtown Chicago, so I was shocked when I was able to make a dinner reservation on a Saturday at 7:30pm one week in advance.  I hope this is this case all the time!

Service is great even at peak busy hours.  The service team constantly refilled our drinks & replenished our plates & silverware throughout our meal.  It was taking longer for the cold tapas to be prepared so our server sent our warm tapas out first, which was fine with us.  Better that than to have all our tapas arrive at the same time or to sit without food!

For our tapas, we ordered the Spanish hummus, bacon wrapped dates, the pork tenderloin, chicken & serrano ham croquettes, & crab fritters.  We were pleasantly surprised at the size of the tapas, which was much larger than what you get at Cafe Bababareeba.  All the tapas were delicious, especially the bacon wrapped dates, but what doesn't taste good wrapped in bacon?

Unfortunately, our paella didn't wow us.  Flavor-wise, the paella was okay, maybe a little bit more saffron than necessary, but it was fine.  We were sadly missing the yummy crunchy rice bits that you associate with paella.  Maybe the paella needed to be cooked longer in the pan?  It was more of a glorified rice pilaf than a paella.

When we visit next time, and there will definitely be a next time, we plan on just ordering tapas!

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6

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Kasey G.

Berwyn, IL

5 star rating
11/04/2007

Make a reservation well in advance, especially in the winter!

Everything is wonderful, I've tried almost everything on the menu. I love how you can eat some many different things in one dinner. The atmosphere in every part of this beautiful mansion is wonderful, any time of year. The service has always been great, even when we have really badly behaved children dining with us.

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Photo of Wonton S.

 

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Wonton S.

Aurora, IL

5 star rating
10/20/2007

I've been hesitant to try this place out because everyone I've spoke with said it was great but super expensive (I'm a little cheap:), but I was pleasantly surprised by the bill.  The tapas are a little bit on the small size, but that makes the whole experience more fun, you can have lots of little tastes.  The wine list is a little overwhelming, lots of Argentinian and Spanish selections.  The best bet is to ask the waiter.  We relied on him for lots during the meal.  The service was amazing, the table was cleared and the attention was dolled out perfectly.  I never felt rushed or neglected - my main complaint about the other big tapas restaurant in Naperville, Tango.  I can't think of a single complaint about Mason Sabika, other than I can't eat there every night for dinner.

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Photo of Brianna W.

 

1

12

Brianna W.

Carol Stream, IL

5 star rating
07/08/2007

WOW! After recommendations by friends, my boyfriend and I decided to check out Meson Sabika on a Thursday evening in May.  I'm glad we made the trip because the food was excellent and the atmosphere delightful!  We were seated in the main dining room of this old Spanish-style mansion at a table for two in a corner nook by a window overlooking the gardens.  Talk about ambiance! The lighting was warm and the noise level very conducive to intimate conversation.  (Although, I would also love to check out the outdoor patios now that the weather is warmer.)

Our wait staff was extremely friendly and allowed us to order and eat our tapas at our own pace.  We enjoyed a pitcher of sangria, patatas con aioli (a garlicky potato salad), gambas al ajillo (lemony garlic grilled shrimp), pincho de solomillo (tenderloin with caramelized onions and creamy horseradish sauce) - but my personal favorite was the queso de cabra (baked goat cheese with a tomato basil sauce and charred bread - MMMM, my mouth waters just thinking about it!!) and the dessert liquor called Liquor 43...our waitress gave us not only some in our coffee, but also on the side!  Aye aye aye!  

I will definitely be going back to this quaint Spanish gem...it'd be a great place for another romantic evening or intimate gathering of friends!  Enjoy.

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Photo of Rachel J.

Elite '08

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65

Rachel J.

Arlington Heights, IL

2 star rating
04/19/2007

Meson Sabika was a special place for me-----my then-boyfriend and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary there, and later made the decision to get married there.  

I booked the west side yard to have the ceremony, and the back patio for my reception/dinner.  

When I went to drop off a payment two weeks before my wedding day, I was totally horrified.  The side yard where I was to be married was a giant mud pit, and under some major construction.  All of the roses were gone---the archway was gone-----there was a 4 foot trench dug out, and nothing to block this ugly mess.  It was the first thing a guest would see when they arrived. I was so sad.  

I had no chance of booking a new place for my ceremony, as I only had 2 weeks notice, and it was a June wedding.  When I asked where (on Meson Sabika's property) I could get married instead, the event coordinator showed me the new archway, under a great big tree.  It sounds nice, but it was about 15 feet from Aurora avenue, with no noise barriers--so instead of hearing the ceremony, you would hear cars and motorcycles go by.  Bleck!

I finally got them to agree to let me have the entire patio for no extra charge.  They explained the layout, and how everything would work.  

The back half of the patio is totally shaded by a huge tree, so that is where I wanted to have the reception.  I figured my short ceremony would be fine in the sun, as I kept it down to about 25 minutes.  

On my wedding day, about 10 minutes before I walked down the aisle, I was informed that I was getting married in the shade, and the reception was in the sun.  There was nothing I could do, so I just rolled with it.  

Everything turned out nicely, and I enjoyed myself---but some of my guests got completely roasted in the sun!!   I was very concerned about everyone's comfort, so that made me feel bad.  

I was never told about any of these little surprises until it was too late.  The managers made an effort to hide from me every time I stopped by, called, or sent e-mails.

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Matthew H.

San Diego, CA

5 star rating
10/07/2007

This is my favorite restaurant in the world.

Great Spanish style tapas, great service, great wine.

That's it.

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pam p.

Chicago, IL

5 star rating
12/27/2006

Wow, I can't believe no one has reviewed Meson Sabika yet!

I would say the food is only worth 3-4 stars. The food itself is not better than anything you would find in the city. And personally, for authentic tapas and a wide selection I prefer Cafe Iberico or maybe Emilios.

What is so great about this place: it's gorgeous! It's a huge, like, MANOR or some shit. Beautiful. They have outdoor patios, too (I can't wait to check it out in the summertime). The mansion really makes for a unique dining experience, but be aware... they really pack you in here! It's always busy; expect to wait. Not a quiet dining experience by any means.

Once you are seated, the service is fantastic. I always end up here w/ a bunch of spanish-ignorant suburbanites, and yet somehow, the waitress manages to understand the orders of "Yeah, I want that one, with the shrimp... and there's some lemon kinda flavor... and maybe I think a sauce too..." And the food comes out quickly and well-timed-- key to tapas dining.

Have to try: Datilos con Tocino (bacon-wrapped dates), grilled shrimp-lemon-butter thing, both types of potato salad (the traditional garlic one is spicy!) ... the tuna w/ angel hair pasta if they've got it (it's a special) .... and the banana mousse for dessert!

here's the best thing about Meson Sabika: they have a teacher's discount. 40fucking%!! One of my boys has a teacher for a mommy, so she takes us here every time we visit.

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Photo of Justin W.

Elite '08

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304

Justin W.

Chicago, IL

5 star rating
02/12/2007

I love this place.  My girlfriend loves this place.  You'll love this place!

They built this beautiful restaurant in a renovated mansion in Naperville.  They've had tents in front for weddings, events, etc, but now they're even adding a permanent structure to replace that!

Anyways, this place makes for a great date spot or a place for a large group of friends.  With a date, you can share individual dishes, and the wait-staff *always* provides very informed and friendly service!  If you go with a group, you can try many different things, but not feel compelled to commit to any one.

Both times the bill exceeded $100 for two people, but with the experience and the quality, I gladly forked over that and a 25% tip.

I went there this last Saturday and despite having to show up an hour late for the reservation (I estimated incorrectly due to my girlfriend working for her charity's telethon), the manager himself seated us within five minutes.  I love them and I loved our server Patricia.

Awesome, hands down.

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17

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Jolene H.

Chicago, IL

5 star rating
04/26/2007

This has got to be the most authentic and value-for-money Spanish tapas restaurant in the state of IL!
Sabika is housed in an old white mansion, tables packed closely to one another, in a cosy, bustling environment. The service is great and the food, especially the seafood, is always fresh. (I've been there twice and have never been disappointed).
Try the mussels and the prawns! And have a sangria with it. The meats are wonderfully cooked (not to raw, not overdone)- try the lamb.
Although the food selection is quite limited compared to other places, its good enough for me that every thing I've ordered has been great.
The total cost for 2 people and 2 very full stomachs came up to approx $70 (including drinks and tax).
On Fridays they have Flamenco dancers to entertain you. Nice touch.

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Elite '08

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226

Isabella W.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
02/25/2007

Love the food, the ambiance.  Perfect tapas place for a big group.  Worth the drive to the burbs.  We went with a party of 7, of which 2 had never tried tapas before.  Service was attentive and helpful.  

The Jamon Serrano cold tapa is delectable - even better than the standard prosciutto: they serve it with a piece of toast, garlic clove, and tomato. You rub the garlic & tomato onto the toast, and then place the jamon on top of the toast like an open-faced sandwich, with a drizzle of olive oil. DELICIOUS.  The Queso de Cabra (goat cheese) with garlic bread was also amazing.  These were the top two dishes of the night.

We also tried the Valenciana paella (chicken, mussels, shrimp), and the Paella special (king crab), Championes Rellenos (stuffed mushroom caps) which was delish; the remaining sauce was also good for bread-dipping, mussels (which unfortunately had a LOT of sand in it), patatas bravas (have to always try the spicy potatoes), which was decent, but not as good as the ones at Bravo Tapas (in Wicker Park).  

We skipped on dessert and headed to Joy Yee's on Ogden for some bubble tea. Overall, a good dining experience, and I would go back again to try more dishes.

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Elite '08

29

358

Jessica D.

Aurora, IL

3 star rating
05/18/2007

ALthough this started as a very high end restaurant, with adorable surroundings (especially the outdoor seating area on a cool Spring or Summer day), it has become obnoxiously busy during special brunches and some evenings.
However, the reedeeming qualities are above average service, excellent dishes, and the fun concept of tapas and an old, well-maintained mansion.
If that doesn't cinch it for you, try the desserts and wine sangria -- musts!

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Mark S.

Lisle, IL

4 star rating
09/11/2006

My wife loves this place.  I balk because I go out to eat to get away from having to make decisions.  I want to order and be done with it.  But the food here is great.  Go with a group so you can try lots of stuff and maybe no one will notice if you zone out on sangria and let others do the ordering.

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Emi D.

Farmington, MI

4 star rating
05/31/2007

They are in an old mansion and absolutely gorgeous. I recommend Sunday branch sitting patio under sunshine with good food. It is so beautiful time. The service and staff are great too.

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Eric H.

Naperville, IL

4 star rating
02/10/2006

A fantastic place to take clients and friends.  

There's great variety on the menu and you can always find something to satisfy every one.  The deserts are expecially good.  

The service quality has dropped a little since they changed owners (from Emilio's Meson Sabika), but the food is just as good.  

It's a little pricey and reservations are a challenge.  But, you cannot go wrong here.  

I always take my special clients here.  Especially local ones.  (Sullivans gets old after a dozen times.)  .

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Elite '08

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143

Michelle I.

Bolingbrook, IL

5 star rating
04/01/2007

This Spanish tapas restaurant is a definite treat! A great date place! Renowned for exemplary service, delightful ambiance, and distinctive Spanish cuisine, Mesn Sabika brings tapas to a new echelon.
Opened in 1990 this four-acre estate, originally built in 1847, has been meticulously renovated and offers an unmatched dining experience. Dine indoors and enjoy the grace and charm reminiscent of a European villa with original oak woodwork, lace curtains, and hand painted ceramics. Or enjoy the ultimate alfresco experience on the brick terrace underneath the 150-year-old oak trees of the estate.
A different spin on the everyday eating. Located near downtown Naperville. Try the Datiles Con Torino: Baked dates wrapped in bacon, served w/red pepper sauce, a definite must! You'll have more than one order!! Try their Sunday all-you-can-eat brunch- to die for! For $26 per person you can taste most of all the tapas that are normally on the menu, a great deal!

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144

Nelson S.

Aurora, IL

4 star rating
08/25/2006

This is a great place to go with friends, order a bunch of different tapas and pass it around.  The masion is very romantic and has a very elegant touch to it.  We had great service and was very happy with the experience.  Always look forward to coming here!

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Elite '08

20

283

Mary J.

Wheaton, IL

4 star rating
04/17/2006

UPDATE 6/23/07  They have remodeled and built a pavillon/banquet area.  The pavillon (as our server called it) is a separate building right next to the restaurant.  According to him, the neighbors were complaining about the noise from the tent.  The building looks very nice and there is some new landscaping in front which includes some fountains.  Inside the restaurant, the walls have been painted and new window treatments have been added.  It was raining last night so we didn't get to sit on the patio, so I can't tell you what's changed out there.

You have to eat on the patio!  I've always had a good time here.  This restaurant is housed in an old mansion and it just adds to the dining experience.  I've eaten in all the rooms - upstairs and downstairs and the patio is the best!

If you've never had tapas before, it's like eating a lot of appetizers at a cocktail party.  You order stuff and pass around the dishes.  Get some sangria to go with it.

My only complaint about this place is when you walk in.  Even if you have a reservation, the person behind the desk is always on the phone and you have to wait to talk to them.  They really need 2 people working the front desk.

If you have to wait, they have a good bar and sometimes on the weekends they will have a server walking around with tapas for you to sample.  They also have a flamenco dancer on certain weekend nights.

They do have lots of receptions here in the summer.  They'll put a tent on the front lawn and it seems like most of the staff is dedicated to the private party.  Not a problem in the summer when you're hanging on the patio!

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Elite '08

86

414

Sheila Y.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
06/18/2007

I thought this place would be amazing and sadly it was not.  I was also not super impressed by the decor, which I thought looked a bit shabby.  I did not venture over to the bar which looked like it could be a great place to chill.  I would definitely head back for that reason if the Sangria was a little bit tastier (amazingly the Sangria at Weber Grill is the best I have had so far...hands down).  
The group ordered up a ton of tapas and I will quickly touch on the ones I remember.  Both of the soups (Gazpacho and Shrimp Bisque) were actually quite tasty.  The Gazpacho had a great nuttiness imparted from ground almonds.  
We ordered four things off the specials of the day menu and I was disappointed that a few came out on top of mildly flavorfull tomatoes.  The white smelts were decent and the asparagus wrapped in proscuitto was tasty.  I think the grilled calamari was prepared nicely and the bacon wrapped figs was nice.  One other general observation was that many of the dishes came to the table resting on a creamy tomato-based sauce which was special the first time around but after two or three lost its oomph.  For dessert we had a poached pear and something chocolatey.  Since I can't really remember them its a bad sign.  
Overall, this place is decent, but I will not be making a return trip with the precious Chicago time I have left.

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5

44

Bridget M.

Chicago, IL

5 star rating
04/30/2006

Possibly the best tapas restaurant in the state of Illinois.  It's located in Naperville and is in an old Mansion that is absolutely beautiful.  Lots of weddings happen here and I think you can't get much better than that.  I highly recommend the garlic potato salad, the seafood bruschetta and the tuna cannelloni, and of course --- the white sangria.

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54

Grace G.

Cicero, IL

1 star rating
03/14/2006

This will be one of very few BAD reviews that I give.  Meson gets a bad review from me because not only did they insult me, after they contacted me to apologize and offer a night on them on my voice mail, when I tried to contact them about the message, I never heard from them again.  Let me start from the beginning.  We've been hearing so much about Meson that I begged my husband to take me there.  So we went one night, we had reservations but when we got there, we had to wait.  While I have no problem waiting, I didn't understand it when there were so many empty tables on the way to the waiting bar.  We waited over a half an hour, which in my opinion, unless it's a weekend night, there is no excuse for a half an hour wait for two with reservations.  That was the first strike.

We finally got seated on the 2nd floor.  There was a flamenco show going on which I was excited about until we got into the room and it was kinda loud.  But it was a good show and it didn't last long in our room.  We started out with very simple tapas, I remember one was the goat cheese.  I went to drink out of my water glass, and cut my lip.  I looked at my glass and saw a crack on the lip of the glass.  I ran to the bathroom not knowing how deep the cut was.  It wasn't bad, but it bled a little.  It stopped after a few minutes.  When I got back to the table, I noted that my glass had been changed.  I asked my hub what happened to the glass and he told me that the busboy took it when he told him that it was cracked.  I got a little irritated at my hub for letting the glass go, but didn't think anything of it until the manager came by.  He sat down at the table and apologized for what happened, and then he asked me exactly what happened.  When I told him that when I took a drink of water and I cut my lip on the edge of the glass, he told me that he had the glass that I drank out of and there were no cracks in the glass.  I kinda blinked and asked him if he was implying that I was lying, and he said no, he believed that I cut my lip on something, just not the glass that I claimed.  I was shocked.  He said that he would comp our drinks and provide dessert.  I was so pissed, I dragged (yes dragged) my husband out of the restaurant.  I was on the second floor, so you can imagine.  I was literally stomping out and I was wishing someone would stop me.  No one did, thank their lucky stars.

To make matters worse, I called Meson the next day and explained to them that I was so looking forward to trying their restaurant, but the experience of being accused as a liar for physically harming myself and then blaming it on the establishment really put me off.  I provided the name of the manager and told them where they could contact me.  I got a phone call from someone at Meson who apologized for the manager, claiming that he was just a temporary, and that I should contact someone whose name begins with an O for a complimentary meal for me and guest.  Well, I called back and I left 2 messages for this person and I never heard from Meson again.  Needless to say, I never got an opportunity to actually taste Meson's tapas.  I do have to say that hub and I and a friend went there for brunch, and were not impressed.  We were told by our wait staff that brunch was a compilation of leftovers from the past week.  We didn't need to hear that.  Anyway, I did hear great things about Meson, but I don't think I'll be going back anytime soon.  There are too many OTHER tapas restaurants that make the grade for me.  When Emilio sold Meson, he didn't sell his classiness and his concern for his patrons.  Too bad.  I liked the layout of Meson.  Something tells me that given a chance, it would have been a decent experience.  But who likes to be accused for causing their own physical damage?  Especially when we hadn't had dinner yet?  I mean I could understand a manager being wary about someone accusing of being cut on a glass AFTER dinner, but not before we had even ordered.  I can't believe it...I'm still steamed about this and this happened in November 2004.

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